Is Chocolate Good or Bad for You?

The article concerns the following question – Is Chocolate Good or Bad for You? There was a time when eating chocolate was the first sign of moral decline. Chocolate made you fat and that was the end of the matter. You were a hopeless case. Now there is research suggesting that chocolate is good for you. But before you rush out and buy the biggest chocolate cake you can buy you should know a little about what the researchers say.

The Good News: Chocolate is good for your heart. It contains polyphenols, the same type of antioxidants as are found in red wine, which has been found to protect the heart. It gets even better if you eat dark chocolate. Researchers tell us that eating just 100g of dark chocolate a day, along with some elements of the Mediterranean diet such as fruit, vegetables, garlic, almonds and 150ml of red wine, can cut the risk of heart disease by 76% That means a possible increase in average life expectancy of over 6 years in men and 5 years in women.

There is more. Another study, this time by researchers at the University of Cambridge, concluded that, “Highest levels of chocolate consumption were associated with a 37% reduction in stroke compared with lowest levels.” This was based on studies involving 100,000 people and involved a variety of different types of chocolate.

Chocolate makes you happy. It affects the brain in a way that cheers you up, increases confidence and makes you relax.

The Bad News: If chocolate is that good why not eat it all the time? Some people do, but it is not a good idea. Chocolate is packed with calories. Just 100g of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk or similar chocolate contains 520 calories. For an average woman that is around 25%of her recommended daily calorie intake, it is less for men but still a substantial amount. Add to this the possibility of mood swings, tooth decay and maybe illnesses of obesity, like type2 diabetes and the very heart disease you hope to avoid, and the life of a chocoholic is not always a happy one.

What to do? You can eat chocolate without the health problems it is supposed to protect you against. Keep to dark chocolate – this has slightly fewer calories than the other types. I would say eat 100g not more than three times a week. Like most high calorie treats there is no problem with eating it in moderation if you are already on a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Is chocolate good or bad for you? Both, but in moderation it’s fine – just like any other food you eat.